In a rare and potentially historic development, the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has accepted all five conditions put forward by the Bar Qamberkhel tribe during a second round of negotiations in the volatile Tirah Valley, officials familiar with the process confirmed. The agreement has generated renewed optimism for lasting peace in a region long marred by militancy and conflict.
The accord was reached during a grand tribal jirga convened in the Bagh area of Tirah under the leadership of prominent tribal elder Haji Zaher Shah Afridi. The jirga drew large participation from tribal notables, religious scholars, madrassah and school students, and the broader community, reflecting widespread public investment in restoring peace.
According to sources, the first phase of the negotiations was held on July 28, during which the Bar Qamberkhel tribe presented a five-point charter to the TTP. The group had at the time requested a pause to seek guidance from its central leadership in Afghanistan. Following internal consultations, the TTP has now formally endorsed all tribal demands.
The demands accepted by the outlawed group are as follows:
1. Commitment to Public Safety: TTP fighters will refrain from launching attacks on security forces from within populated areas, including homes, guesthouses, and public spaces. Any breach will result in punitive action against the violator.
2. Ban on Coercive Fund Collection: The group shall not engage in forcible collection of ushr, zakat, donations, or extortion money. Any such attempt will invoke immediate and strict action.
3. Non-Interference in Civil Matters: TTP operatives will abstain from interfering in personal, communal, or inter-tribal disputes and will not participate in or influence local jirgas.
4. Accountability for Miscreants: Individuals whose actions bring dishonour to the tribe will face disciplinary action through collective decisions of the tribal council, with full support from community elders.
5. Investigation into Past Abuses: The tribal council will furnish a list of individuals allegedly subjected to killing, torture, or abduction by TTP operatives in the Khyber district. If victims are determined to have been innocent, appropriate action will be taken under Sharia law against those responsible.
Speaking to the jirga, Haji Zaher Shah Afridi remarked, “This is a moment of divine favour and a testament to the unity and resolve of our tribe. What we have achieved today is not the triumph of an individual or a jirga, but a collective victory of an entire nation committed to peace. We must offer prayers of gratitude for this milestone.”
The development marks a rare instance of a militant group conceding to tribal authority in such unequivocal terms and is being viewed as a potential blueprint for community-led peacebuilding in conflict-prone areas. Local residents and tribal leaders have cautiously welcomed the outcome, while emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance and implementation.
